Final Huddle: UC Football Falters 31-24 Against Miami in First Loss of Season

Cincinnati now faces Oklahoma to open the 2023 Big 12 schedule.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Sep 17, 2023 12:00 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats lost a tight Battle for The Victory Bell 31-24 at home on Saturday to notch their first loss in the series since 2005.

Emory Jones (17-of-31 252 yards passing, two interceptions, 17 carries, 86 yards, one TD) posted the best dual-threat outing of his early UC career but had costly turnovers that helped do UC in. Cincinnati outplayed Miami (OH) throughout the game but settled for field goals three times inside the RedHawks five-yard line (27 points on seven red-zone trips).

Miami Quarterback Brett Gabbert (11-of-19 passing for 229 yards, two TDs, team-high 58 rush yards on eight carries) had a similar type of impact on the ground and through the air as he burned UC for multiple third-down conversions with his legs to keep Miami humming.

The OT loss marked the third overtime game in this series and the first since 1997.

Gabbert Gallops

Cincinnati had a brutal time trying to defend Brett Gabbert with a man-coverage heavy attack. Gabbert ran all over those looks when things were covered along with some nice lanes opening up in the middle.

It was a career-high for rushing yards from the veteran quarterback in his first win over UC. Cincinnati didn't get much pressure on him throughout the loss, notching just two sacks and two QB hits.

It's hard to overcome 230-plus yards through the air and 55-plus yards on the ground. Gabbert was unwaivered from the start of the game as Miami threw a 79-yard touchdown to star transfer Gage Larvadain on the first play of the game. Cincinnati's defense withered away as Gabbert kept rushing.

Red Zone Woes

Cincinnati outplayed Miami up and down the field until each side got near the goal line on Saturday. The Bearcats went 1-for-5 on TD chances inside the five-yard line and relied on Carter Brown (4-for-5 FGs) to keep them afloat until he got the most important attempt blocked.

Henderson and Jones drove a nice rhythm on offense between the 20s, but things stalled with the Bearcats running game closer to the end zone and led to few full cash-ins.

Cincinnati ran and threw for over 200 yards for the second game this season, but the big plays didn't end up in the paint like things did against Eastern Kentucky. UC even had to dial up a 27-yard fake punt direct snap to Chamon Metayer as a catalyst for the game-winning field goal miss.

Hammerin Henderson

The Bearcats's top outside weapon got held to one catch in Pittsburgh but UC featured him heavily on Saturday night. Henderson caught 12 passes on 13 targets for one of the busiest games of his career.

The veteran was spamming a short comeback route throughout the first half and rode the consistent separation to another in-sync outing with Jones. Henderson went over 100 yards in the first half with savvy route running and sound hands.

Miami entered the game with a bottom-45 pass defense by EPA/pass allowed and Henderson punished it all night long. He even shed a few tackles en route to 36 yards after catch after commanding over half of the team's target share in the game.

It's been impressive to see how impactful the Florida transfer has been throughout the non-conference run. UC now prepares for a top-20 team in Oklahoma at Noon next Saturday.

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